SRINAGAR: In a first-of-its-kind collective religious initiative, more than 70 major Friday congregations across Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh responded to the call of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu and Kashmir (MMU) by delivering sermons on the common theme of Imaan (faith) on Friday, October 16. The coordinated effort brought together religious institutions representing different schools of thought while respecting the independence and sanctity of every mimbar (pulpit).
The initiative covered all ten districts of the Kashmir Valley — Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian. It also extended to Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch and Udhampur, as well as the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, and the Ladakh region, including Kargil, Drass and Leh.
Ulema, imams and khateebs representing Hanafi, Shia/Jaffery, Ahl-e-Hadith, Barelvi and Deobandi traditions participated in the initiative. While retaining their distinct religious practices and interpretations of jurisprudence, they conveyed a shared spiritual message from major Jama Masjids, historic khanqahs, imambargahs, madrasas and other religious institutions across the region.
The sermons highlighted Imaan as the foundation of individual character, family life and society’s moral fabric. Religious leaders stressed the importance of protecting one’s faith and remaining steadfast in one’s principles, urging believers to reflect their faith through honesty, integrity and compassion in their daily lives.
They also emphasised that religious and moral principles should not be compromised for material gain, position, personal interests or external pressure.
The sermons addressed challenges facing younger generations, including growing materialism, declining religious awareness, moral confusion and the misuse of social media. Parents, teachers, Ulema and religious institutions were urged to help safeguard young people’s faith through authentic religious knowledge, compassionate guidance and personal example.
The initiative follows decisions taken at the MMU’s Ulema Conference on September 15, where representatives resolved to address pressing social and religious concerns through designated Friday sermons, district-level engagements and sustained community awareness programmes.
In a statement, the MMU said the response reflected cooperation among religious institutions despite differences in maslak, jurisprudence and religious traditions. It said the participation conveyed a message of unity and demonstrated a shared recognition that the spiritual, moral and social challenges facing society required sustained collective efforts rather than isolated appeals.
The MMU expressed gratitude to the participating Ulema and confirmed that the programme would continue on designated Fridays to address issues identified at the September conference. These include unity within the Ummah, drug abuse, suicide, mental health concerns, challenges facing young people, responsible social media use, family values and environmental protection.
The initiative aims to translate the collective resolve of religious leaders into sustained public awareness, community engagement and practical action at the grassroots level, with mosques, imambargahs, madrasas and other religious institutions expected to play a central role.
Participating congregations and institutions included major religious centres across the region.
In Srinagar, the common sermon was delivered at Markazi Jama Masjid Srinagar, Aasar Sharief Dargah Hazratbal, Dargah Gousia Sarai Bala, Dastgeer Sahib Khanyar, Aali Masjid Eidgah, Masjid Sharief Tourist Centre, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Hubbi Masjid Nowshahra, Bazm-e-Tawheed Ahl-e-Hadith Bazar Masjid, Mirza Kamil Hawal, Meerak Shah Sahib Shalimar, mosques affiliated with Jamiat Ahle Hadith J&K, Masjid Sharief Gole Market Karan Nagar, Jamia Ashraf-ul-Uloom Hyderpora, Madrasa Sabeel-ul-Huda Bemina, Markazi Imambargah Zadibal, Imambargah Rainawari, Jamia Sajjadiya Chattabal and Imambargah Ayatullah Syed Yousuf Bemina.
In Budgam, participating institutions included the historic Khanqah of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA) at Charar-i-Sharief, Jama Masjid Beerwah, Central Imambargah Budgam (Darul Mustafa) and various imambargahs associated with Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, J&K Shia Association and Amoor-e-Shariah J&K.
Ganderbal participated through Jama Masjid Ganderbal, Jama Masjid Kangan, Jama Masjid Lar and Darul Uloom Naqshbandiya Rangil. In Baramulla, sermons were delivered at Jama Masjid Baramulla, Jama Masjid Sopore, Jama Masjid Kreeri Pattan, Khanqah Muradiya Pattan and Jama Masjid Uri. Bandipora was represented by Jama Masjid Bandipora and Darul Uloom Rahimiyya, while Jama Masjid Kupwara and Jama Masjid Handwara participated from Kupwara district.
In Anantnag, participating institutions included Jama Masjid Anantnag, Jama Masjid Bijbehara, Jama Masjid Bilaliya Qazigund, Darul Uloom Syed-ul-Mursaleen Qazigund, Jama Masjid Aishmuqam and Khanqah Hyderia Aishmuqam.
Kulgam was represented by Jama Masjid Kulgam, Darul Uloom Kulgam and Jama Masjid Simnani. In Pulwama, the sermons were delivered at Jama Masjid Pulwama, Khanqah Faiz Panah Tral and Jama Masjid Pampore, while Shopian participated through Markazi Jama Masjid Shopian and Jama Masjid Pinjoora.
The initiative also covered the Jammu region. In Jammu city, sermons were held at Central Jama Masjid Jammu, Makka Masjid Bhatindi and Jama Masjid Gujjar Nagar, alongside other local mosques.
Rajouri and Poonch participated through Jama Masjid Rajouri, Jama Masjid Poonch and Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom, while Jama Masjid Udhampur represented Udhampur district.
Across the Chenab Valley, the common sermon was delivered at Jama Masjid Doda, Jama Masjid Bhaderwah, Jama Masjid Kishtwar, Jama Masjid Marwah, Jama Masjid Dachhan, Jama Masjid Batote, Jama Masjid Thathri and Jama Masjid Ramban.
In Ladakh, participating institutions included Jama Masjid Kargil, Imambargah Kargil, Jama Masjid Drass and Markazi Jama Masjid Leh, along with other local mosques and imambargahs across the region.
